Growing up as a boy surrounded by sisters, I never had a big brother. Instead, I had my big sister, Karen. With two older sisters and two younger ones, I was the only boy. But Karen, who was just a year and four months older, became the sibling who filled that big-brother role. She was […]
“Tire Marks and Band-Aids: Growing Up with Karen Hurt” Read More »
The other day, as I was helping my son move a deer stand, my mind wandered back, taking me all the way to my early twenties, out in North Todd. Back then, I had this young, bold dream—to be a wildlife photographer, capturing the raw, untamed beauty of the deer and landscapes that felt like
Bump, Bruises and Memories Read More »
In the fall of ’76, my friend and I embarked on a backpacking adventure behind my grandpa’s farm in north Todd, venturing deep into the woods for a few days of camping. We spent our first night under the open sky, nestled in our sleeping bags, only to be pelted with sleet. The next morning,
Shot through the Arm Read More »
A couple of days ago I was leaving my farm in my classic 67 ford pickup, as I pulled out on the blacktop and was shifting gears, a memory from long ago came to mind… When I was a child, summers were golden and endless, and I spent them in the cab of my grandpa’s 1967
Every summer, during my visits to my grandparent’s home in North Todd, my grandmother was constantly engaged—tending her garden, preparing supper, or maintaining the house. Yet, on some lazy afternoons, a cherished ritual would take place on the front porch of their old farmhouse, which seemed to sway in harmony with the seasonal rhythm.This was
In the summer of 1969, my family and I came to Todd County to visit my Grandparents on their farm. During our stay, my cousins from Missouri came to visit as well, and we were all young boys eager for adventure. One day, while we were hanging out with Grandpa, he announced that he was
In the spring of 1974, my family and I had acquired my grandpa’s cherished farm, a place where I had joyfully spent nearly every sun-soaked childhood summer. Bursting with excitement, we moved from the Sunshine State, eager to embrace our new, rustic life. I was particularly thrilled about tending to the cows and transforming into
I Should have been a Cowboy Read More »
Years ago, I walked into the quaint country store and took a seat on the old slide top Coke machine. The elderly gentleman behind the counter looked up from his newspaper and asked about my day. I shrugged and said, ‘Took off today—rained too much last night, and the ground’s too wet to disc.’ He
Growing up as a child in the 60s, my life was an adventurous journey, as we frequently moved between army bases all around the world. However, my true refuge was my grandparent’s farm in North Todd. Every summer, we’d spend a month or two there, and I eagerly looked forward to my cherished routine. At
1978 in Todd County was the kind of year when my buddies and I, fueled by youthful exuberance and a questionable fashion sense, decided our trucks needed straight pipes. Why? Because we were on a mission to be the coolest kids in town—or at least sound like it. I remember one particular weekend, our Friday
Loud Trucks, Jail, and a Starry Eyed Teen Read More »
